Scott Announces 4 Senior Staff Appointments

Republican Governor-elect Phil Scott on Wednesday tapped Jason Gibbs, a longtime aide to former Gov. Jim Douglas, to be his chief of staff.

Gibbs' appointment was one of four that Scott named to his senior staff.

Scott picked longtime aide Rachel Feldman as senior director of boards, commissions and public service. Feldman is currently Scott's chief of staff in the lieutenant governor's office.

Scott also named Brittney Wilson, his former campaign coordinator and spokeswoman, to be secretary of civil and military affairs. That position usually serves as the governor’s main legislative liaison.

And Scott picked Kendal Smith as his director of policy development and legislative affairs. Smith most recently worked for the Vermont Chamber of Commerce.

The advocates who have been pushing for paid family leave, free health care for young adults and other progressive initiatives had a clear choice in the race for governor: Democrat Sue Minter. Their candidate lost, however, advocates are now recalibrating a legislative strategy that will require them to win buy-in from Republican Governor-elect Phil Scott.